Today is Children’s Day. It is so celebrated because it commemorates the 120th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister.
Unlike Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru has been subject to far greater criticism during his period and also in recent times. It is often pointed out that he was responsible for India’s partition at the time of independence. It is possible, although a number of his contemporary personalities were collectively responsible for the tragedy of partition.
Nehru’s legacy has been more widely debated than that of any other leader in India’s history. It was Nehru, who advocated complete independence and sovereignty from the British Empire, unlike others, who were content with the dominion status, in which the monarch of England would be India’s head of state. Again, it was Nehru, who stressed that the princely states had no place in an independent India.
Nehru’s contribution as the Prime Minister of India was as important as his contribution to the freedom struggle. He advocated an active role for the State in economic activity, and was responsible for setting up of a number of public sector undertakings. As the economic crises of today’s times have shown, the market cannot be allowed to have a free run. He was responsible for setting up of AIIMS, IITs and IIMs. He also set up the National Book Trust and the Literary Academy to promote national integrity.
In the international sphere, Nehru promoted the Non-Aligned Movement, which advocated a stand independent of the two major Cold War blocs. Though the relevance of the non-aligned movement has been questioned in recent times, it is important for every nation to articulate an independent stance in international affairs.
On the Kashmir issue, Nehru originally promised to hold a plebiscite as per the resolution of the United Nations, but backed off from it as the other resolution of the U.N. was not fulfilled, namely the withdrawal of Pakistani troops from Kashmir. But he was also responsible for the division of the Indus river basin’s waters between the two countries, which has stood the test of time.
Probably, Nehru’s greatest error of judgement was in not anticipating a Chinese invasion of India in 1962. Nehru thought that, as both countries were former victims of imperialism, they would not aggress on each other’s territories. But this proved to be a great miscalculation, as even today China lays claims on Arunachal Pradesh.
Much has been talked about Nehru’s relationship with Edwina Mountbatten and how it influenced his decision-making. In my opinion, any examination of others’ personal lives will always bring skeletons out of their cupboards, and it is in the best interests of etiquette not to scandalise people.
Nehru is remembered as ‘Chacha’ or Uncle for working for children all through his life. But he remains controversial due to various decisions of his which have had an impact on our polity. Probably the two sides of his legacy will forever remain an enigma.
Unlike Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru has been subject to far greater criticism during his period and also in recent times. It is often pointed out that he was responsible for India’s partition at the time of independence. It is possible, although a number of his contemporary personalities were collectively responsible for the tragedy of partition.
Nehru’s legacy has been more widely debated than that of any other leader in India’s history. It was Nehru, who advocated complete independence and sovereignty from the British Empire, unlike others, who were content with the dominion status, in which the monarch of England would be India’s head of state. Again, it was Nehru, who stressed that the princely states had no place in an independent India.
Nehru’s contribution as the Prime Minister of India was as important as his contribution to the freedom struggle. He advocated an active role for the State in economic activity, and was responsible for setting up of a number of public sector undertakings. As the economic crises of today’s times have shown, the market cannot be allowed to have a free run. He was responsible for setting up of AIIMS, IITs and IIMs. He also set up the National Book Trust and the Literary Academy to promote national integrity.
In the international sphere, Nehru promoted the Non-Aligned Movement, which advocated a stand independent of the two major Cold War blocs. Though the relevance of the non-aligned movement has been questioned in recent times, it is important for every nation to articulate an independent stance in international affairs.
On the Kashmir issue, Nehru originally promised to hold a plebiscite as per the resolution of the United Nations, but backed off from it as the other resolution of the U.N. was not fulfilled, namely the withdrawal of Pakistani troops from Kashmir. But he was also responsible for the division of the Indus river basin’s waters between the two countries, which has stood the test of time.
Probably, Nehru’s greatest error of judgement was in not anticipating a Chinese invasion of India in 1962. Nehru thought that, as both countries were former victims of imperialism, they would not aggress on each other’s territories. But this proved to be a great miscalculation, as even today China lays claims on Arunachal Pradesh.
Much has been talked about Nehru’s relationship with Edwina Mountbatten and how it influenced his decision-making. In my opinion, any examination of others’ personal lives will always bring skeletons out of their cupboards, and it is in the best interests of etiquette not to scandalise people.
Nehru is remembered as ‘Chacha’ or Uncle for working for children all through his life. But he remains controversial due to various decisions of his which have had an impact on our polity. Probably the two sides of his legacy will forever remain an enigma.
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